Israel's Haifa to revise textbooks; credit Indian soldiers for liberation
What's the story
The Israeli city of Haifa is set to revise its history textbooks to credit Indian soldiers for its liberation from Ottoman rule during World War I. The move was announced by Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav at a ceremony honoring fallen Indian soldiers at their cemetery. "In every school, we are changing the texts and saying that it wasn't the British but the Indians who liberated us," Yahav said.
History
'Constantly we were told this city was freed by British'
Yahav said that as children, they were constantly told that it was the British that freed the city, which was untrue. "I was born in this city and graduated from here. Constantly we were told that this city was freed by the British till somebody from the Historical Society knocked at my door one day and said that they have done thorough research and found that it wasn't the British but the Indians who freed this city," Yahav said.
Historical significance
Indians liberated Haifa from Ottoman rule
The Indian Army celebrates September 23 as Haifa Day, honoring the Mysore, Hyderabad, and Jodhpur Lancers who played a crucial role in liberating the city. During World War I, Indian cavalry battalions equipped with spears and swords drove Ottoman forces from the rocky slopes of Mount Carmel, in what most war historians regard as "the last great cavalry campaign in history." Major Dalpat Singh, known as the Hero of Haifa, was among those awarded for their bravery during this operation.
Commemorative efforts
Over 74,000 Indian soldiers sacrificed their lives in WWI
Over 74,000 Indian soldiers sacrificed their lives in World War I, with more than 4,000 in West Asia. The fallen soldiers are honored at memorials across Israel, including Haifa, Jerusalem, and Ramle. To honor their bravery further, "The India Trail" is being established in Israel by the Embassy of India and Israeli authorities.
Diplomatic gesture
India renamed Teen Murti Chowk in Israel
In a gesture of friendship with Israel, India renamed Teen Murti Chowk to "Teen Murti Haifa Chowk" during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit in January 2018. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid tribute to Major Dalpat Singh at the Indian cemetery in Haifa during his July 2017 visit to Israel. The 61st cavalry unit sent a contingent for centenary celebrations in Israel in 2018.